Benzie Area Christian Neighbors, or , is hosting their annual Winter Food Drive starting Thursday, Feb. 24 through Saturday, Feb. 26.
This year, they’re looking for lunch items like cans of tuna, soup, and fruit cups that they can distribute to families and to seniors.
“We typically see 6,000 to 8,000 pounds [of food] come in from the food drive,” said Director of Development Kelly Ottinger. “That lasts right around a month, which is good timing. It gets us right up to spring when folks are starting to come back and donating food out the back door again.”
People can purchase and drop off food items at four participating area grocery stores, or donate money online to help BACN buy food in bulk.
BACN says this food drive helps restock their pantry shelves after the holidays, and helps serve those who need their services.
“We have found, just over the last few years, we’ve added a larger number of new folks who have never had to use BACN before,” said Ottinger. “The last two years with the pandemic, it’s been our working families, we are finding, that have been hit the hardest. Some of our families are getting extra assistance right now through the SNAP program, and our working families often have incomes too high to receive that benefit.”
Volunteers will be at Family Fare in Frankfort, Honor Grocery Store, Save-A-Lot and Shop and Save in Benzonia, and will be there to distribute lists of needed items to shoppers.
You can also donate on their , which will help BACN buy food in bulk. Monetary donations for the food drive will be accepted through March 18.
© 2023 - 910 Media Group
